ADDRESS BY THE VICE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT

AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE

VIETNAM SEAPORT ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING 2008

NHA TRANG, 11/09/2008

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Distinguished delegates,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Executive Committee of the Association and the organization board of VPA Annual Meeting 2008 for inviting me to attend and make a speech at the opening ceremony today. On behalf of Ministry of Transport, I would like to warmly welcome all guests and delegates from many parts of our country to the Meeting.

I am very happy to see full attendance of port delegates at the meeting this time. This shows that the Association plays a very important role in the combination of all businesses and its potential of pushing cooperation, development, and solving commons problems of Vietnam ports system.

Ministry of Transport has been informed of positive and effective contributions and performance of VPA in recent years. Vietnam Seaports Association has grown fast and vividly proved timely and proper State Policy since the Ministry of Transport made the decision of establishment and passed all Regulations. Vietnam port business itself has continuously developed and greatly contributed to accomplishing the plan of the whole Transport Industry last decades.

According to Party’s currently general policy on sea economics development strategies, and in the condition of quick increase in the commodities, investing in seaport infrastructure improvement, especially in some key economics zones, is one of the first priorities of Vietnam transport industry.

In addition to seaport infrastructure, traffic system of road and access channel to ports, and supportive works including logistics services, the facilitation for seaports to develop regionally and globally should be comprehensive and it is central and local responsibility.

It is necessary for the Association to be promoted more, based on which, the Association represents the right benefits of businesses in all domestic and oversea relationships. The Association is also the bridge between State and enterprises and acts as counselor on the policies, strategies and development plans, seaport infrastructure management systems that are most suitable for Vietnam in new period.

Apart from these mentioned above, I find that VPA Annual Meeting this time should focus on discussion, settlement of difficulties, specific questioning to further the port operation effectiveness. It is required to have profound evaluation of the status, potential, and to compare with the region to decide the main things to be improved and help Vietnam seaport to go up to be officially modern in the shortest period of time.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In the time of new opportunities and challenges in business development, global economic integration, I hope that we will well prepare and perform better as Uncle Ho’s sayings about solidarity, cooperation to create more total strength. As for Ministry organization, it is needed to solve problems and support enterprises to operate more effectively in a fairly competitive environment with a clear system.

As for port businesses, it is necessary to absolutely renovate, quickly and more effectively develop to create the competitive strength with high technology and service quality, which are the foundation for sustainable development. As for the Association, it is required to promote the role of consultancy for the State, and supporting the growth, furthering commerce, and global integration, and together with maritime industry quickly make port system to be equal with that of other countries in developing scale, management level, operational effectiveness and international competition.

Holding VPA Annual Meeting in Nha trang city this time will also enrich more the potential, sea economic development and local tourism.

Vietnam transport industry is very interested in port performance and sustainable development including particular Association; listen always to contributive suggestion for rapid and proper improvement of infrastructure and traffic activities, which speed up the socio – economic development of the country

With all these hope, I wish great success to VPA Annual Meeting 2008 and good health, happiness to all delegates, wish VPA to more and more develop sustainably.

Thank you!